Brendan Rodgers has taken the unusual step of promising that Daniel Agger will feature in Liverpool's game at Southampton on Saturday, a week after withdrawing the central defender against Swansea City for what he described as a lack of physicality.

"I made a switch and we won the game," the Liverpool manager said. "You can do that with a defender just as well as with a winger or a striker. I will always do what is necessary if I think the situation calls for it."

Rodgers brought Agger off after an hour against Swansea with the scores level at 3-3, replacing him with Kolo Touré in an attempt to reduce the influence of Wilfried Bony. "Dan has taken it like the man he is, he has been outstanding in training all week," Rodgers said. "He will play on Saturday, no question."

Rodgers confirmed Lucas Leiva has returned to full training with the Liverpool squad following a knee problem, but will not be ready in time for Southampton.

Rodgers was also scathing about the possibility of Pepe Reina linking up with Liverpool again after the goalkeeper loaned out to Napoli spoke about returning to the club to consider his options when his season-long deal in Italy runs out. "He's already written his goodbye letter, hasn't he?"

Rodgers said. "I was surprised at that from a loan player. Pepe made it very clear when he went to [Rafael Benítez's] Napoli that he was looking to move, he penned a great big letter saying he was looking forward to working with the best manager he had ever worked with and thanked him for his time at Liverpool. So to me that sounds like he's made his decision."